VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE

What writers in San Antonio are saying about the series:

JOHNNY LUDDEN, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Tim Duncan figured he was due. Three hundred seventy-nine days due. Two Western Conference semifinal series due. Heck, 2,453 shots due.

So after calmly sinking his short jump hook in the final seconds Wednesday night to lift the Spurs to another win over the Lakers, Duncan shrugged and described the shot as only Duncan could.

“It’s just good to finally put one down like that,” Duncan said. “It’s just a ‘finally’ feeling.”

When it comes to individual accomplishments, there is little Duncan hasn’t done in his brief two seasons in the NBA. Rookie of the Year? Check. All-NBA? Check. All-Defensive? Check.

The MVP award might have to wait until at least next season, but Duncan scratched off another item on his to-do list with his basket Wednesday. Without the game-deciding shot, the best-of-seven series likely would be knotted at 1-1 with the Spurs heading into the Great Western Forum for back-to-back games today and Sunday.

“I expect that [from Duncan],” David Robinson said. “Tim has proven that to all of us. I mean, that’s his game. He can turn around and hit that jump hook. He’s got a little of everything.”

Before Game 2, however, Duncan had yet to knock down a game-winner. He made a pair of free throws with 3.7 seconds left to beat Portland April 16 at the Alamodome. No easy feat for a 69% foul shooter, but not nearly as heroic as Wednesday.

A little more than a year ago, Duncan was in a similar position but missed a 15-footer that could have won Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against Utah. When he walked off the court with a frown, former Spur forward Chuck Person ran up to him and said, “Take it again. We’re coming right back to you next time.”

Two nights later they did. With Game 2 tied with 2.1 seconds remaining, the Spurs drew up a play to get the ball inside to Duncan. But when the double-team collapsed, Duncan passed to Jaren Jackson, who missed an open three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.

After spraining his left ankle early in the extra period, Duncan misplayed Karl Malone, letting him blow by for a dunk that gave the Jazz the lead. Duncan then missed a pair of free throws and the Spurs went on to lose, 109-106, prompting one Utah reporter to write, “Superman has Kryptonite. Tim Duncan has crunch time.”